Rigid support member for packs, bags and other articles

ABSTRACT

A support member for packs, bags and other articles adapted to be supported from the shoulders of a wearer of the article including a pair of spaced-apart rigid arms adapted to engage the waist and/or hips of the wearer of the pack, bag or article. A sleeve or shoulder associated with either the arms or the article secures the arms to the article. In one of the embodiments, the arms, shoulders and sleeve combine to define a generally U-shape frame adapted to be mounted to the article. In another embodiment, the shoulders and/or sleeve are adjustable to allow the adjustment of the width between the arms. In other of the embodiments, the arms are rotatable about the article between disengaged and engaged positions.

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/610,058 filed on Jun. 30, 2003 andincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to a rigid support member for packs, bagsand other articles adapted to be suspended from the shoulders of awearer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Packs, bags and articles which are suspended from the shouldersand mounted to the back of a wearer such as, for example, school backpacks, hiking back packs, and golf bags have been in widespread use formany years. Although these articles have proven effective in allowingwearers to carry and support books, hiking supplies and golf clubs, theydisadvantageously have placed wearers at an increased risk of shoulderand back injury due to the considerable weight which is often timescarried in these articles. This risk has become a particular concern forgrade school children who are increasingly being forced to carryexcessive numbers of books and supplies in their back packs in order tokeep up with the ever escalating homework requirements. This risk isalso a concern for caddies who must carry golf bags weighing more thanfifty pounds for more than 7,000 yards during a four hour round of play.

[0004] In the past, adjustable flexible belts or harnesses adapted to bewrapped and tied around the waist of a wearer have been used in anattempt to relieve the weight of the pack, bag or other article. Thesebelts and harnesses, however, have been ineffective as a weighttransferring device and there thus remains a need for a support memberwhich will effectively transfer the weight from the shoulders and backof the wearer to the waist, hips and lower back of the wearer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The invention relates to a member for supporting an article aboutthe hips or waist of a wearer of the article where the member comprisesa pair of spaced-apart rigid arms adapted to cooperate with the articleand engage the waist and/or hips of the wearer.

[0006] In one embodiment where the article is a back pack includingopposed side panels and an open sleeve extending along a lower edge ofeach of the side panels, the arms are adapted to be slid and extendedinto the sleeves respectively. In another embodiment where the articleis a back pack including a back panel and a sleeve associated therewith,the arms are adapted to be extended through the sleeve and secure thearms to the article. The arms may be adapted for rotation about thesleeve and the article between a disengaged position and an engagedposition.

[0007] A sleeve integral with the arms may extend between the arms todefine a generally U-shaped frame adapted to be secured to the article.The sleeve may comprise a pair of cooperating elements adapted to allowthe distance between the arms to be adjusted. Each of the arms may alsoinclude an extended shoulder which cooperate together to secure the armstogether. Each of the shoulders may be a hollow tube and the shouldersmay telescope together.

[0008] In still a further embodiment, the arms may be slid over aflexible rod extending through the interior of the bag and protrudingthrough slotted apertures defined in the front panel of the article.

[0009] In the embodiment where the arms are connected to a sleeve andthe article is a golf bag including a spine, the member is adapted to bemounted to the golf bag in a relationship where the sleeve is disposedgenerally co-planarly with the spine. The arms may be adapted to besecured directly to the spine of the golf bag and the arms may berotatable and slidable about the spine. Alternatively, the arms may besecured to a bracket or collar adapted to be either removably secured tothe handle of the golf bag or permanently secured to the surface of thegolf bag.

[0010] Other advantages and features of the present invention will bemore readily apparent from the following detailed description of thepreferred embodiments of the invention, the accompanying drawings, andthe appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] In the drawings:

[0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partially broken away, of a backpack incorporating a support member of the present invention;

[0013]FIG. 1A is an exploded, vertical cross-sectional view, partlybroken away, depicting the relationship between the arms and the sleevein the disengaged position of the support member of the presentinvention;

[0014]FIG. 1B is an exploded, vertical cross-sectional view, partlybroken away, depicting the relationship between the arms and the sleevein the engaged position of the support member of the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view, partly broken away, of theback pack of FIG. 1;

[0016]FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the back pack of FIG. 1suspended from the shoulders of a wearer with the support member in itsdisengaged position;

[0017]FIG. 4A is a side elevational view of the back pack of FIG. 1suspended from the shoulders of the wearer with the arms of the supportmember engaged against the waist and hips of the wearer;

[0018]FIG. 4B is a front elevational view of the back pack of FIG. 1suspended from the shoulders of the wearer with the arms of the supportmember engaged against the waist and hips of the wearer;

[0019]FIG. 5A is a perspective view, partially in phantom and brokenaway, of a back pack incorporating another embodiment of the supportmember of the present invention;

[0020]FIG. 5B is an exploded perspective view of the support member ofFIG. 5A;

[0021]FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the back pack of FIG. 5Asuspended from the shoulders of a wearer with the support member in itsdisengaged position;

[0022]FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the back pack of FIG. 5A withthe arms of the support member engaged against the waist and hips of thewearer;

[0023]FIG. 8 is a perspective view, partly in phantom and broken away,of a back pack incorporating another embodiment of the support member ofthe present invention;

[0024]FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the back pack of FIG. 8;

[0025]FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of a golf bag incorporating asupport member of the present invention;

[0026]FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the support member ofFIG. 10;

[0027]FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the golf bag of FIG. 10suspended from the back and shoulders of a wearer with the supportmember in its disengaged position;

[0028]FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the golf bag of FIG. 10 withthe arms of the support member engaged against the waist and hips of thewearer;

[0029]FIG. 14 is a perspective view, partly in phantom, of a golf bagincorporating an alternate embodiment of the support member of thepresent invention;

[0030]FIG. 15 is a perspective view, partly in phantom, of yet anotherembodiment of the support member of the present invention adapted to besecured directly to the spine of a golf bag;

[0031]FIG. 16 is a perspective view, partly broken away, of still afurther embodiment of the support member of the present inventionadapted to be secured directly to the straps of the handle of a golfbag;

[0032]FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view, partly broken away, ofthe support member embodiment of FIG. 16;

[0033]FIG. 18 is a perspective view, partially broken away and exploded,of still a further embodiment of the support member of the presentinvention;

[0034]FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of thesupport member of the present invention secured to a golf bag configuredto be carried in a generally vertical orientation;

[0035]FIG. 20 is a perspective exploded view of the golf bag of FIG. 19with the outer liner and straps removed therefrom;

[0036]FIG. 21 is a side elevational view of the golf bag of FIG. 19suspended from the shoulders of a wearer with the support member in itsdisengaged position;

[0037]FIG. 22 is a side elevational view of the golf bag of FIG. 19 withthe arms of the support member engaged against the hips and waist of thewearer;

[0038]FIG. 23 is an exploded perspective view of yet a furtherembodiment of the support member of the present invention adapted to beremovably secured to the handle of a golf bag;

[0039]FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the support member of FIG. 23removably secured to the handle of a golf bag;

[0040]FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of still anotherembodiment of the support member of the present invention adapted formounting to a golf bag;

[0041] FIGS. 26(a) and (b) depict alternate embodiments of the mountingplate of the support member of FIG. 25;

[0042]FIG. 27 is an exploded perspective view of yet an additionalembodiment of the support member of the present invention incorporatinga collar for removably securing the same to the handle of a golf bag;

[0043]FIG. 28 is a broken perspective view, partly in phantom, of a backpack incorporating yet another embodiment of the support member of thepresent invention; and

[0044]FIG. 29 is an exploded perspective view, partly in phantom of theback pack shown in FIG. 28.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0045] The invention disclosed herein is, of course, susceptible ofembodiment in many different forms. Shown in the drawings and describedherein below in detail are preferred embodiments of the invention. It isto be understood, however, that the present disclosure is anexemplification of the principles of the invention and does not limitthe invention to the illustrated embodiments.

[0046] For ease of description, the support member and the variousarticles adapted to incorporate the support member of the presentinvention will be described in a normal (upright) operating position andterms such as upper, lower, horizontal, etc., will be used withreference to this position. It will be understood, however, that thesupport member and various bags and articles of the present inventionmay be manufactured, stored, transported, used, and sold in anorientation other than the positions shown and described herein.

[0047]FIGS. 1, 1A, 1B and 2 depict a support member 100 which, in theembodiment shown, is adapted for use with any type of shoulder or backmounted bag, pack or article such as, for example, the back pack 102shown in FIG. 1 which includes front and back panels 104 and 106respectively, opposed side panels 108 and 110 respectively and a bottompanel 112 which has a sheet of cardboard or the like floor material 114seated thereon and adapted to provide support for the contents of thepack 102.

[0048] In the embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the support member100 initially comprises a generally rectangular back pack frame 116which is made of any suitable rigid material such as aluminum, steel,plastic, or the like and is adapted to be seated in the interior of thepack 102 against the bottom sheet 114. Pack frame 116 is defined byopposed front and back flat vertical ribs 118 and 120 respectively andopposed flat side vertical ribs 122 and 124 disposed in adjacent orabutting relationship with the interior surfaces of the back and frontpanels 106 and 104 and the side panels 108 and 110 of the pack 102respectively.

[0049] An elongate hollow tube, rod, or sleeve 126, which is made of thesame type of material as frame 116, is secured to and extendslongitudinally along the outer vertical panel of the front rib 118thereof. Alternatively, the sleeve 126 could be secured directly to theback panel 106, or any of the other panels or bottom of the pack, by anyone of several known methods. Sleeve 126 includes and defines aplurality of elongate slots 128 extending between the outer and innersurfaces thereof. In the embodiment shown, the sleeve 126 includes twospaced-apart sets of three slots each, the slots 128 in each of the setsbeing aligned in spaced-apart and co-linear relationship and extendingpartially around the circumference of the sleeve 126. In accordance withthe present invention, the sleeve 126 is adapted to protrude through anappropriately sized aperture or opening 130 formed in the back panel 106of the pack 102. A flap 132 or the like is stitched or otherwisesuitably secured to the back panel 106 of the pack 102 and is adapted tocover the sleeve 126.

[0050] The support member 100 still further comprises a generally“U”-shaped frame 134 which, in the embodiment shown, is made ofaluminum, steel, plastic, composite or the like suitable rigid tubularmaterial. Frame 134 comprises a pair of generally “L” shaped elongateshafts or tubes defining spaced-apart arms 136 and 138. Each of the arms136 and 138 includes an elongate extended shoulder 140 and a unitary,elongate distal hip and/or waist engaging segment or portion 142extending generally normally outwardly from the shoulder 140. The hipand/or waist engaging portion 142 incorporates an inwardly bent, curvedor arcuate central segment 144. The free end 146 of the extendedshoulder 140 of each of the arms incorporates a depressablespring-activated pin, button or the like element 148 adapted to allowthe arms 136 and 138 to be removably and rotatably secured inside theends of the sleeve 126 as described in more detail below.

[0051] Preferably, the arms 136 and 138 are mirror images of each otherand are disposed generally co-planarly to each other in both thedisengaged and engaged positions of the support member 100. Moreover,each of the arms 136 and 138 bend not only inwardly in the direction ofthe distal ends thereof away from the shoulders thereof but alsodownwardly in the same direction so as to allow the same to rest andengage against the top of a wearer's hips in their engaged position asdescribed in more detail below.

[0052] Alternatively, and although not shown, it is understood that theinvention encompasses the embodiment where the frame 134 is adapted tocooperate and pivot about the bottom panel 112.

[0053] In accordance with the present invention, each of the arms 136and 138 have an outside diameter which is slightly less than the innerdiameter of the sleeve 126 to allow the free end 146 of each of theextended shoulders 140 respectively to be advanced into and through theopen ends 150 and 152 respectively of the sleeve 126. The arms 136 and138 are advanced into the hollow sleeve 126 until the respective pins148 are locked into one of the selected slots 128 thereby locking andsecuring the arms 136 and 138 to the sleeve 126. As shown in FIGS. 1Aand 1B, the slots 128 in combination with the pins 148 not only securethe arms 136 and 138 to the rod 126 but also are sized to allow the arms136 and 138 to rotate about the sleeve 126 between the position of FIG.1A and the position in FIG. 1B where the arms have been rotatedapproximately ninety degrees in the clock-wise direction.

[0054] The support member 100 still further comprises a pair of elongatehollow generally cylindrical comfort pads or cushions 154 and 156adapted to be slid over the respective hip/waist engaging portions 142of the arms 136 and 138 respectively. The pads or cushions 154 and 156may be made of any suitable soft, pliable and/or deformable material.Alternatively, a suitable layer of cushioning material may be applieddirectly to the surface of the arms by any know process. In the engagedposition of FIG. 1, the arms 136 and 138 are disposed generallyhorizontally co-planarly with the bottom panel 112 of the pack 102 andserve as a stand which allows the pack 102 to be seated in an uprightposition on a support surface.

[0055] As shown in FIGS. 3, 4A and 4B, the back pack 102 is adapted tobe mounted to the back of a wearer and suspended from the shoulders ofthe wearer by means of shoulder straps 158 and 160 associated with thepack 102.

[0056] The support member 100 is adapted to be used or oriented in afirst disengaged position (FIG. 3) where the arms 136 and 138 aredisposed in a generally, up and down vertical position generallyvertically co-planarly with the back panel 104 of the pack 102 againstthe back and buttocks of the wearer. In a second position as shown inFIGS. 4A and 4B, the arms 136 and 138 have been rotated about ninetydegrees in the clock-wise direction about the sleeve 126 and the pack102 (i.e., from the position of FIG. 1A to the position of FIG. 1B) toallow the arms 136 and 138 to engage against the waist of the wearer andrest or sit against the top of the hips of the wearer. In this position,the arms are disposed generally horizontally co-planarly with the bottompanel 112 of the pack 102.

[0057] In accordance with the present invention, the arms 136 and 138and, more particularly, the arcuate segments 144 of the hip/waistengaging portions 142 thereof, exert an engagement or compressive actionor force against the hips and/or waist which causes a portion of theweight of the pack 102 and the contents thereof to be transferred awayfrom the shoulders and back of the wearer successively through the pack102, the pack frame 116, the sleeve 126, the arms 136 and 138, and tothe hips and/or waist of the wearer thus advantageously reducing theshoulder and upper back stresses which often times lead to shoulder andback injuries. According to the invention, a majority of the weight ofthe back pack 102 and its contents is thus advantageously reconcentratedand redistributed through the support member 100 from the shoulders andupper back of the wearer to the hips and/or waist and lower back of thewearer.

[0058] The width of the frame 134 of the member 100 can be adjusted toaccommodate differently sized waist and/or hips by adjusting the widthbetween the arms 136 and 138 which, of course, is accomplished bysliding one or both of the extended shoulders 140 of the arms 136 and138 into locking relationship into whichever of the selected slots 128on the sleeve 126 provide the wearer with the desired width and engagingfit.

[0059]FIGS. 5A and 5B depict another embodiment of a support member 200including a generally U-shaped frame 234 comprising two inter connectedand telescoping generally “L” shaped tubes or shafts definingspaced-apart generally co-planar arms 236 and 238 which are preferablymade of the same type of material as the arms of the support member 100shown in FIG. 1. Particularly, each of the arms 236 and 238 of thesupport member 200 includes a hip/waist engaging support portion 242 anda proximal extended and elongate shoulder 240 which extends unitarilygenerally normally inwardly from the proximal end of the hip/waistengaging portion 242. The hip/waist engaging portion 242 of each of thearms 236 and 238 incorporates an inwardly bent curved or arcuate centralsegment 244 between the proximal and distal ends thereof. The arms 236and 238 are also mirror images of each other and are disposed in aspaced-apart relationship generally co-planarly to each other in boththe disengaged and engaged positions of the member 200. The arms 236 and238 additionally arc or curve downwardly in the direction of the distalends thereof. In accordance with the present invention, the extendedshoulder 240 of the arm 236 includes and defines a plurality ofspaced-apart, co-linear longitudinally extending apertures 243 adjacentthe free distal open end 245 thereof while the extended shoulder 240 ofthe arm 238 includes a depressable pin, button or the like element 248similar to the pin 148 described above with respect to the supportmember 100.

[0060] As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the distal open end 245 of theshoulder 240 of arm 236 preferably has an inner diameter which isslightly greater than the outer diameter of the distal free end 247 ofthe shoulder 240 of arm 238 to allow the free end 247 of the shoulder240 of the arm 238 to be telescoped or fitted into the free end 245 ofthe shoulder 240 of the arm 236. Shoulder 240 of arm 238 is advancedinto the shoulder 240 of arm 236 and the pin 248 is locked into theappropriate selected aperture 243 depending, of course, upon the desiredand preferred width of the frame 234.

[0061] The back panel 206 of the pack 202 incorporates a strip ofelastic or the like material 207 extending along a lower longitudinalportion thereof between the side panels 208 and 210 thereof to allow thearms 236 and 238 to be moved laterally towards or away from the pack 202as described in more detail below. In the embodiment of FIGS. 5A and 5B,the respective arms and, more particularly, the shoulders 240 thereofare adapted to extend through a hollow sleeve or jacket 209 which ispreferably made of the same type of material as the pack 202 and hasbeen stitched, sewn, or otherwise suitably secured to a lowerlongitudinal portion of the front panel 204 of the pack 202. The sleeve209 incorporates a flap 211 (FIG. 6) which allows access to therespective interconnected shoulders 240 of the member 200 for adjustingthe width of the arms 236 and 238 thereof.

[0062] Although not shown in any of the drawings, it is understood that,in an alternate embodiment, the sleeve 209 may extend not only across alower portion of the front panel 204 of the pack 202 but alsocontinuously along a lower longitudinal portion of the side panels 208and 210 of the pack 202. In this alternate embodiment, both theshoulders and the portion of the arms 236 and 238 abutting the sidepanels 208 and 210 respectively would be covered by the sleeve 209.Alternatively, the sleeve 209 could be stitched, sewn, or otherwisesuitably secured to a portion of the bottom panel 112 and the arms couldbe adapted to pivot about the bottom panel 112 into the engaged positionof FIG. 7.

[0063] A pair of elongate, hollow cylindrical pads or cushions 254 and256, similar in structure to those described earlier in connection withthe support member 100, are adapted to be slid over and along therespective hip/waist engaging portions 242 of the arms 236 and 238.Moreover, in this embodiment, a pair of hooks or brackets 262 and 264are stitched or otherwise suitably secured to a lower portion of theside panels 208 and 210 of the pack 202 adjacent the front panel 204thereof for engaging the arms 236 and 238 as described in more detailbelow.

[0064] In use, support member 200 is rotatable about the sleeve 209 andthe pack 202 between the disengaged position of FIG. 6 where the armsthereof are positioned in a generally up and down vertical co-planarrelationship spaced from the wearer into the position of FIG. 7 wherethe arms have been rotated clock-wise approximately ninety degrees intoabutting and engaging position against the waist of the wearer andrested or seated against the top of the hips of the wearer. In theposition of FIG. 7, the brackets 262 and 264 encircle the arms 236 and238 and limit any further clock-wise movement of the arms 236 and 238relative to the pack 202 beyond the initial ninety degrees. The brackets236 and 238 additionally provide support for the pack 202 and, as shownin FIG. 7, eliminate the sagging of the bottom of the pack 202. In theengaged positions of FIGS. 5A and 7, a portion of the respectivehip/waist engaging portions 242 of the arm 236 and 238 extend and abutagainst a lower longitudinal portion of the side panels 208 and 210respectively of the pack 202 between the front and back panels 204 and206 respectively.

[0065] As described above with respect to the support member 100, thesupport member 200 also allows a transfer of the weight of the contentsof the pack 202 away from the shoulders and the upper back of the wearerto the waist, hips and lower back of the wearer through the respectiveshoulders 240 and then through the respective hip/waist engagingportions 242 of the arms 236 and 238 of the member 200.

[0066] Although not shown in any of the FIGURES, it is understood thatthe support member 200 could likewise be suspended and rotatable about asleeve or jacket, similar to the sleeve 209, which is stitched, sewn orotherwise suitably secured to a longitudinal lower portion of the backpanel 206 of the pack 202.

[0067]FIGS. 8 and 9 depict yet a further support member embodiment 300which includes a pair of elongate spaced-apart and generally co-planararms 336 and 338 adapted to be slid generally longitudinally inwardlyinto respective elongate longitudinally extending hollow sleeves orjackets 370 and 372 which are made of a suitable elastic or the likematerial, and have been stitched, sewn or otherwise suitably secured toa lower longitudinal portion of the side panels 308 and 310 respectivelyof the pack 302. Sleeves 370 and 372 extend longitudinally generallybetween the front and back panels 304 and 306 of the pack 302 adjacentthe bottom or floor panel 314 thereof. Each of the arms 336 and 338includes a proximal elongate sleeve portion 340 and a distal unitaryhip/waist engaging portion 342.

[0068] The arms 336 and 338 are slid or extended generally horizontallyinto the sleeves 370 and 372 respectively until the distal end of therespective sleeve portions 340 thereof are abutted against the closedrear end (not shown) of each of the sleeves 370 and 372. The hip/waistengaging portion 342 of each of the arms 336 and 338 protrudes outwardlyfrom the sleeves 370 and 372 and generally normally outwardly from alower portion of the back panel 306 of the pack 302. Each of the arms336 and 338 is adapted to be surrounded by a pair of elongate cushions354 and 356. Cushion 354 is adapted to cover the hip/waist engagingportion 340 of the arms 336 and 338 while cushion 356 is adapted tosurround the sleeve portion 340 of each of the arms 336 and 338 andallows the arms 336 and 338 to be removably secured in the respectivesleeves 370 and 372.

[0069] A pin 380 extends through the cushions 356 and into the sleeveportion 340 of each of the arms 336 and 338 for securing the respectivecushions 356 to the arms and to inwardly secure the arms inside thesleeves 370 and 372.

[0070] Although not shown in any of the FIGURES, it is understood thatthe generally horizontally co-planarly aligned and spaced arms 336 and338 of the support member 300 are adapted to engage against the waistand rest against the top of hips of a wearer of the pack 302 in a mannersimilar to that described in connection with the earlier describedsupport member embodiments. As such, the arms 336 and 338 allow thetransfer of the weight of the pack 302 from the shoulders and upper backof the wearer downwardly towards the bottom of the pack 302, thenthrough the arms 336 and 338 respectively and then to the waist and hipsof the wearer. The elasticity or stretchability of the materialcomprising the sleeves 370 and 372 allows the arms 336 and 338 to beflexed outwardly away from the side panels of the pack 302 toaccommodate the waist or hip sizes of a variety of wearers. An elasticband 380 is adapted to surround the arms 336 and 338 in the area of thesleeve portions thereof so as to cause the arms to exert a force againstthe waist and hips as desired.

[0071] It is understood that FIGS. 1-9 depict only three support memberembodiments suitable for use with a back pack and that the inventionencompasses all other suitable embodiments which fall within the scopeof the invention including, but not limited to, the support memberembodiment 800 of FIG. 18 which is similar in structure to the supportmember 100, and thus the description thereof is incorporated herein byreference, except that it includes a unitary, non-adjustable andnon-rotatable U-shaped tubular frame 834 incorporating a pair ofspaced-apart generally horizontally co-planarly oriented elongate shaftsdefining arms 836 and 838 and a longitudinal sleeve 840 therebetween andunitary with the proximal ends of the arms 836 and 838. Sleeve 840 isgenerally horizontally co-planarly oriented with the arms 836 and 838and is adapted to mounted or otherwise secured directly to a lowerlongitudinal portion of the back panel 806 of the back pack 802 usingany suitable means including, for example, Velcro®, snaps, sleeves,jackets or the like. In the embodiment of FIG. 18, rivets 892 extendthrough the sleeve 840, the material or fabric comprising the back panel806 of the back pack 802 and into the front rib 818 of frame 816 locatedin the interior of the back pack 802. In this embodiment, the arms 836and 838 are permanently extended generally outwardly away from the packor article intended to be supported by the hip support member. Elongatecushions 854 and 856 cover the arms 836 and 838 respectively.

[0072] Another support member embodiment 400 is shown in FIGS. 10-13which is adapted to be integrated for use on a golf bag 402 adapted tobe carried in a generally horizontal orientation.

[0073] As with the other support member embodiments, the support member400 comprises a generally “U” shaped frame 434 including a pair ofelongate shafts or tubes defining spaced-apart generally co-planarlyaligned arms 436 and 438 terminating in elongate inwardly extendingshoulders 440 generally co-planarly aligned with the arms. A centralsleeve 426 interconnects the two generally “L” shaped arms 436 and 438together about the shoulder 440 thereof to define the frame 434. Each ofthe arms 436 and 438 comprises an elongate, rigid and preferably hollowtube or rod which has been shaped and configured to follow the contourof the outer surface 403 of the golf bag 402. Elongate, hollowcylindrical cushions or pads 454 and 456, similar in structure andfunction to those described earlier in connection with the earliersupport embodiments, are adapted to slide over and cover all or aportion of the arms 436 and 438 respectively. The open, hollow distalend 498 of the extended shoulder 440 of each of the arms 436 and 438includes an elongate slot 443 extending around a portion of thecircumference thereof.

[0074] The sleeve 426 comprises first and second hollow flat bars 474and 476. Bar 474 is sized to fit or telescope into an open end 478 ofbar 476. Each of the bars 474 and 476 has a plurality of flatcircumferential outer surfaces. Particularly, bar 474 includes a flatlower surface (not shown) and a flat top surface 480 having a pluralityof apertures 482 extending therethrough and aligned in space-apart andco-linear relationship thereon. Bar 476 includes a flat lower surface(not shown) and a flat top surface 484 incorporating a depressable pushbutton, pin or the like element 486 adapted to snap into engagement witha selected one of the apertures 482 in the bar 474 for locking the twobars 474 and 476 of the sleeve 426 together.

[0075] Elongate shafts 488 and 490 extend longitudinally outwardly fromclosed ends of the bars 474 and 476 respectively opposite the ends ofthe bars which are telescoped together. Each of the shafts 488 and 490defines a threaded aperture 496 extending partially therethrough andadapted to receive a threaded screw 497. In accordance with theinvention, the shafts 488 and 490 are adapted to receive the open distalend 498 of the shoulder 440 of each of the arms 436 and 438 respectivelyinto a relationship wherein the slots 443 therein are aligned with therespective apertures 496 in the shafts 488 and 490. The screws 497 arethen inserted through the slots 443 and into the threaded apertures 496to lock the arms 436 and 438 to the sleeve 426. Slots 443 allow the arms436 and 438 respectively to rotate about the shafts 488 and 490 and aresized to allow a ninety degree rotation of the arms 436 and 438 relativeto the shafts and the sleeve 426.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 10, the support member 400 is adapted to beseated against the outer surface 403 of the golf bag 402 in arelationship where the sleeve 426 is positioned in the transverse bagdirection in a generally vertical co-planar relationship with the spine405 and handle 409 of the bag 402 with the lower flat panels (not shown)of the bars 474 and 476 of the sleeve 440 abutted against the surface403 of the bag 402. In the longitudinal bag direction, member 400 ispositioned such that the sleeve 426 is positioned directly beneath thehandle 409 of the bag 402 in a relationship where the shaft 490 and thedistal end of bar 476 protrudes and extends through the top buckle 413of the handle 409 and the shaft 488 and the distal end of the bar 474extends and protrudes through the opposed buckle 415 of the handle 409.

[0077] As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the support member 400 is rotatableabout the spine 405 and outer surface 403 of the bag 402 between a firstposition (FIG. 12) where the arms 436 and 438 extend downwardly awayfrom the spine 405 and are seated generally against the outer surface403 of the bag and a second position (FIG. 13) where the arms 436 and438 have been rotated approximately ninety degrees in the clock-wisedirection into a tangent, outward position relative to the outer surface403 of the bag 402 and the arms 436 and 438 and engage against the waistof the wearer and are rested or seated against the top of the hips ofthe wearer.

[0078] The use of flat bars 474 and 476 seated against the generallyflat golf bag surface 403 prevents the support member 400 from rotatingabout the bag 402 more than the required ninety degrees when the arms436 and 438 are rotated between the FIGS. 12 and 13 positions.

[0079] In a manner similar to that described earlier in connection withthe back pack embodiments, the support member 400 advantageouslytransfers the weight of the bag and the clubs housed therein away fromthe shoulders and the upper back of the wearer to the waist, back andhips of the wearer through the spine 405 of the bag 402, the sleeve 426of the member 400, and then through the arms 436 and 438. This weighttransfer, of course, advantageously reduces the burden which isordinarily associated with carrying a golf bag during an averageeighteen hole round of golf. The support member 400 offers a particularsignificant advantage for caddies who are commissioned or hired to carrythe bags of professional golfers at tournaments and the like where thebags can end up weighing more than fifty pounds.

[0080]FIG. 14 shows an alternate golf bag embodiment 502 where thesleeve 526 and extended elongate shoulders 540 of the arms 536 and 538of the support member 500 have been encapsulated or covered by a jacketor sleeve 570 which has been stitched or otherwise suitably secured overthe outer surface 503 of the bag 502 in the region of the spine 505. Thestructure of support member 500 is the same as the structure of supportmember 400 and thus the description thereof is incorporated herein byreference. In the embodiment of FIG. 14, the arms 536 and 538 protrudethrough a pair of spaced-apart openings 572 and 574 defined in thejacket 570. Preferably, the jacket material surrounding the openings 572and 574 incorporates an elastic rim 576 which allows the jacket materialto stretch in response to the rotation of the arms 536 and 538 from theFIG. 12 position into the FIG. 13 position. A flap 578 on the jacket 570allows access to the sleeve 526 of support member 500 for adjusting thewidth or distance between the arms 536 and 538.

[0081]FIG. 15 depicts yet another support member embodiment 600 adaptedto be mounted directly to the elongate shaft or center spine 605 of thegolf bag 602. The arms 636 and 638 of the support member 600 are similarin structure, shape and orientation to the arms 436 and 438 of thesupport member 400 of FIGS. 10 and 11 and the description thereof isthus incorporated herein by reference. However, instead of incorporatingtelescoping shoulder portions, the arms 636 and 638 have respectivehollow tubular shafts, shoulders or collars 674 and 676 extendingunitarily generally normally inwardly from the distal ends of the arms636 and 638 respectively. Each of the hollow shafts 674 and 676 includesa plurality of spaced-apart, co-linear longitudinally extending slots678 defined therein. Each of the slots 678 defines an opening extendingpartially around the circumference of the shafts 674 and 676. The shafts674 and 676 are adapted to be slid directly onto and surrounding thespine 605 during the manufacture of the bag 602.

[0082] Although not shown in FIG. 15, it is understood that the spine605 has a pair of depressable push buttons or pins associated therewith,similar in structure to the buttons or pins described in connection withsome of the earlier support member embodiments and incorporated hereinby reference, and adapted to respectively cooperate and engage withselected ones of the slots 678 in the shafts 674 and 676 for locking thearms 636 and 638 on the spine 605. As described in connection withselected ones of the earlier support member embodiments, the slots 678allow the arms 636 and 638 to be rotated in a clock-wise directionapproximately ninety degrees about the spine 605 and the outer surfaceof the bag 602 between the two positions shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.Additionally, the arms 636 and 638 are slidable along the spine 605 foradjusting the distance between the arms as desired.

[0083] A jacket or sleeve 670 similar in structure to the jacket 570 ofthe support embodiment of FIG. 14 covers the spine 605 and a portion ofthe arms 636 and 638. A flap 678 unitary with the jacket 670 allowsaccess to the shafts of the arms and the spine to allow the adjustmentof the width of the arms 636 and 638. Preferably, the jacket materialsurrounding openings 672 and 674 in the jacket 670 incorporates anelastic rim 676 which allows the jacket material to stretch when thearms are rotated about the spine.

[0084] Yet a further embodiment of a support member 700 is shown inFIGS. 16 and 17 which is adapted for use on a golf bag intended to becarried in the generally horizontal orientation shown in FIGS. 12 and13. Support member 700 incorporates arms 736 and 738 similar instructure and orientation to the arms 436 and 438 of support member 400and thus the description thereof is incorporated herein by reference. Assuch, each of the generally “L” shaped arms 736 and 738 includes anextended shoulder portion 740 and a unitary elongate waist/hip engagingportion 742. However, unlike the support member 400, support member 700incorporates a bracket 773 which allows the member 700 to be fitted andremovably secured directly to the straps 713 and 715 of the handle 709of a golf bag. Specifically, bracket 773 comprises a pair of flat plates774 and 776. Plate 776 defines a pair of notches 778 and 780 adjacentthe ends respectively which extend inwardly into the body of the plate776 from one of the side vertical panels 782 thereof. Plate 774 alsodefines a pair of spaced-apart notches 784 and 786 located adjacent theends respectively and extending inwardly from one of the side verticalpanels 788 thereof. Plate 774 additionally includes an elongate hollowmounting rod, tube or sleeve 726 seated and secured to the upper panelthereof and extending generally longitudinally between the ends thereof.

[0085] Plates 774 and 776 of bracket 773 are adapted to be broughttogether laterally from opposite sides of the golf bag handle 709 into arelationship surrounding and secured to the handle 709 wherein therespective vertical side panels 782 and 788 and of the plates 776 and774, respectively are abutted against each other, the upper strapportion 713 of handle 709 is received and fits inside the notches 778and 784 defined in plates 774 and 776 respectively, and the lower strapportion 715 of handle 709 is received and fits inside the notches 780and 786 defined in plates 774 and 776 respectively.

[0086] A plurality of screws 792 extend between the side panels 782 and783 of the plate 776 and into the side panel 788 of the plate 774 forremovably securing the plates 774 and 776 and thus the sleeve 740 aroundthe handle 709. Thereafter, the arms 736 and 738 are removably securedto the sleeve 726 in the same manner as that described earlier inconnection with the FIG. 1 support member embodiment 100 andincorporated herein by reference. Slots 728 in sleeve 726 cooperate withrespective depressable pins 748 associated with arms 736 and 738 forlocking the arms 736 in the sleeve 726 and to allow the rotation of arms736 and 738 relative to the sleeve 726 for the same purposes asdescribed above in connection with the FIG. 1 embodiment and thusincorporated herein by reference. Tubular cushions 754 and 756 surroundthe waist/hip engaging portions 742 of the arms 736 and 738respectively.

[0087]FIGS. 19-22 depict another support member embodiment 900 adaptedto be integrated for use on a golf bag 902 designed to be carried in agenerally vertical/up and down position instead of the generallyhorizontal orientation of, for example, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 12and 13.

[0088] Referring to FIGS. 19 and 20 in particular, golf bag 902 iscomposed of an interior, hollow shell 903 which may be made of anysuitable durable, hard material such as plastic or the like and adaptedto receive and carry golf clubs. Shell 903 is adapted to be surroundedand covered by an outer protective liner 904 made of any suitablematerial such as, for example, a cushioned, padded synthetic or fabricmaterial.

[0089] Bag 902 includes opposed, spaced-apart, and generally parallelfront and back longitudinal panels 905 and 906 respectively and opposed,spaced-apart and parallel side longitudinal panels 907 and 908respectively extending between the front and back panels 905 and 906 ina generally normal relationship thereto. Each of the panels 905, 906,907 and 908 includes a top or upper open end region 909, a mid-region910, and a bottom or lower closed end region 911.

[0090] Support member 900 initially comprises an elongate bracket orplate 916 extending along the width of the front panel 905 of the bag902 in the mid-region 910 thereof. Plate 916 may be secured to thesurface of back panel 906 of shell 903 of bag 902 using rivets or thelike securement means and is seated and disposed on the surface of shell903 in an orientation generally normal to the opposed longitudinal bagedges 917 and 918 which separate the back panel 906 from the side panels907 and 908.

[0091] An elongate hollow tube, rod or sleeve 926, which is of the sameconstruction and material as sleeve 126, is secured to and extendslongitudinally along the front of the plate 916. The description withrespect to sleeve 126 is thus incorporated herein by reference.Particularly, sleeve 926 includes and defines a plurality of elongateslots 928 extending between the outer and inner surfaces thereof. In theembodiment shown, sleeve 926 includes two spaced-apart sets of threeslots each, the slots 928 in each of the sets being aligned inspaced-apart and co-linear relationship along the length of the sleeve926 and extending partially around the circumference thereof.

[0092] Support member 900 still further comprises a generally “U”-shapedframe 934 which, in the embodiment shown, is made of aluminum, steel,plastic, composite or the like suitable rigid tubular material. Frame934 is of the same construction as frame 134 and comprises a pair ofgenerally “L” shaped elongate shafts or tubes defining spaced-apart arms936 and 938. Each of the arms 936 and 938 includes an elongate extendedshoulder 940 and a unitary, elongate distal hip/waist engaging segmentor portion 942 extending generally normally outwardly from the shoulder940. The hip/waist engaging portion 942 incorporates an inwardly bent,curved or arcuate central segment 944. The free end 946 of the extendedshoulder 940 of each of the arms incorporates a depressablespring-activated pin, button or the like element 948 adapted to allowthe arms 936 and 938 to be removably and rotatably secured inside theends of the sleeve 926 and within the respective slots 928 as describedin more detail below.

[0093] Preferably, the arms 936 and 938 are mirror images of each otherand are disposed generally co-planarly to each other in both thedisengaged and engaged positions of the support member 900. Moreover,each of the arms 936 and 938 bend not only inwardly in the direction ofthe distal ends thereof away from the shoulders thereof but alsodownwardly in the same direction.

[0094] In accordance with the present invention, each of the arms 936and 938 have an outside diameter which is slightly less than the innerdiameter of the sleeve 926 to allow the free end 946 of each of theextended shoulders 940 respectively to be advanced into and through theopen ends 950 and 952 respectively of the sleeve 926. Arms 936 and 938are advanced into the hollow sleeve 926 until the respective pins 948are locked into one of the selected slots 928 thereby locking andsecuring the arms 936 and 938 to the sleeve 926. In a manner similar tothat shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B with respect to the support embodiment 100and thus appropriately incorporated herein by reference, the slots 928in combination with the pins 948 not only secure the arms 936 and 938 tothe rod 926 but also are sized to allow the arms 936 and 938 to rotateabout the sleeve 926 between the position of FIG. 1A and the position inFIG. 1B where the arms have been rotated approximately ninety degrees inthe clock-wise direction.

[0095] Support member 900 still further comprises a pair of elongatehollow generally cylindrical comfort pads or cushions 954 and 956adapted to be slid over the respective hip/waist engaging portions 942of the arms 936 and 938 respectively. The pads or cushions 954 and 956may be made of any suitable soft, pliable and/or deformable material.Alternatively, a suitable layer of cushioning material may be applied ormolded directly to the surface of the arms by any know process. A pad orcushion 957 is also adapted to cover the bracket 916 and sleeve 926 ofthe support member 900.

[0096] As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, golf bag 902 is adapted to bemounted and suspended from the shoulders and back of a wearer by meansof shoulder straps 958 and 960 associated and secured to the golf bag902 in a manner which allows the bag 902 to be carried in the generallyvertical orientation shown therein.

[0097] Support member 900 is adapted to be used or oriented in a firstdisengaged position (FIG. 21) where the arms 936 and 938 are disposed ina generally, up and down vertical position generally spaced from andparallel to the respective side panels 907 and 908 of bag 902 andgenerally adjacent and co-linearly with the opposed longitudinal paneledges 917 and 918 respectively. In the second position of FIG. 22, thearms 936 and 938 have been rotated about ninety degrees in theclock-wise direction about the sleeve 926 and back panel 906 of the bag902 (i.e., from the sleeve position of FIG. 1A to the sleeve position ofFIG. 1B) to allow the arms 936 and 938 to engage against the sides ofthe wearer's waist and rest and sit against the top of the hips of thewearer. In this position, the arms are disposed in a generallyhorizontal orientation generally normal to the back panel 906 of the bag902.

[0098] In accordance with the present invention, the arms 936 and 938and, more particularly, the arcuate segments 944 of the hip/waistengaging portions 942 thereof, are adapted to exert a compression forceagainst the waist and top of the hips which causes the weight of the bag902 and the contents thereof to be transferred away from the shouldersand upper back of the wearer successively through the bag 902, thesleeve 926, the arms 936 and 938, and to the lower back, waist and hipsof the wearer thus advantageously eliminating the shoulder and upperback stresses which often times lead to shoulder and back injuries.According to the invention, a majority of the weight of the bag 902 andthe golf clubs adapted to be carried therein is thus advantageouslyreconcentrated and redistributed through the support member 900 from theshoulders and upper back of the wearer to the waist, hips and lower backof the wearer.

[0099] The width of the frame 934 of the member 900 can be adjusted toaccommodate differently sized waists and hips by adjusting the widthbetween the arms 936 and 938 which, of course, is accomplished bysliding one or both of the extended shoulders 940 of the arms 936 and938 into locking relationship into whichever of the selected slots 928on the sleeve 926 provide the wearer with the desired width and engagingfit.

[0100] Although FIGS. 19-22 depict the support member embodiment 900where the arms 936 and 938 are rotatable about the back panel 906 of thebag 902, it is understood that the invention encompasses the use andincorporation of any other suitably structured support memberembodiments including, for example, the support member embodiment 800depicted in FIG. 18 where the arms are unitary with a sleeve 840 adaptedto be secured directly to the surface of shell 903 as with rivets or thelike thereby securing the arms 836 and 838 in a permanent, non-rotatableextended position generally normally outwardly from the back panel 906of the bag 902.

[0101] Yet a further embodiment of a support member 1000 according tothe present invention is shown in FIGS. 23 and 24. Support member 1000is preferably adapted for use on a golf bag intended to be carried inthe horizontal orientation as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 and thusincorporates arms 1036 and 1038 similar in structure, shape andorientation to the arms 436 and 438 of support member 400, thedescription of which is incorporated herein by reference. As such, eachof the generally “L” shaped arms 1036 and 738 includes, among otherelements, an extended shoulder portion 1040 and a unitary elongatewaist/hip engaging portion 1042.

[0102] Bracket assembly 1073 initially is adapted to allow the supportmember 1000 to be secured to the handle of the bag and comprises agenerally square-shaped flat plate 1074. Plate 1074 defines two rows ofspaced-apart, parallel and aligned slots 1084 and 1086. Plate 1074additionally includes an elongate hollow mounting rod, tube or sleeve1026 seated and secured to the top face of plate 1074 and extendinggenerally longitudinally between the side edges of plate 1074 along thelower edge thereof. Sleeve 1026 is otherwise similar in structure to thesleeve 26 of support member 100 depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 and the sleeve726 of support member 700 depicted in FIGS. 16 and 17, the descriptionsof which are thus incorporated herein by reference.

[0103] Bracket assembly 1073 still further comprises a pair of straps1075 and 1076 made of Velcro® or the like material and, morespecifically, where one of the panels of each of the straps 1075 and1076 includes the loop type material thereon and the other of the panelsof each of the straps 1075 and 1076 includes the hook type materialthereon. Bracket assembly 1073 still further comprises a crescent moonshaped insert or spacer 1077 made of foam or the like material.

[0104] In accordance with the present invention, bracket assembly 1073is adapted to be removably secured to the handle 1009 by initiallysliding plate 1074 through the space or aperture defined between the bagand the handle 1009 into the relationship of FIG. 24 where the apertures1084 and 1086 in plate 1074 are located on opposite sides of the handle1009. Thereafter, foam insert 1077 is wedged between the plate 1074 andthe lower surface of handle 1009 as shown in FIG. 24. Subsequently,Velcro® strips 1075 and 1076 are wrapped around the handle 1009 and fedor extended through respective ones of the apertures 1084 and 1086 inplate 1074 respectively subsequently as shown in FIG. 24 so as toremovably secure the bracket 1073 to the handle 1009.

[0105] Thereafter, arms 1036 and 1038 are removably secured to thesleeve 1026 in the same manner as that described earlier in connectionwith the FIG. 1 and FIG. 16 support member embodiments and thusincorporated herein by reference. Particularly, slots 1028 in sleeve1026 cooperate with respective depressable pins 1048 (not shown)associated with arms 1036 and 1038 for locking the arms 1036 and 1038 inthe sleeve 1026 and to allow the rotation of arms 1036 and 1038 relativeto the sleeve 1026 and the golf bag in the same manner as that shown inFIGS. 12 and 13 and for the same purposes as described above inconnection with the FIG. 10 embodiment and incorporated herein byreference. Tubular cushions 1054 and 1056 surround the hip/waistengaging portions 1042 of the arms 1036 and 1038 respectively.

[0106] Yet a further embodiment of a support member 1100 is shown inFIGS. 25 and 26. Support member 1100 is also adapted for use on a golfbag intended to be carried in the generally horizontal orientation asshown in FIGS. 12 and 13 and thus incorporates arms 1136 and 1138similar in structure, shape and orientation to the arms 436 and 438 ofsupport member 400, the description of which is incorporated herein byreference. As such, each of the generally “L” shaped arms 1136 and 1138includes, among other elements, an extended shoulder portion 1140 and aunitary elongate hip/waist engaging portion 1142.

[0107] Bracket assembly 1173 is adapted to allow the support member 1100to be secured to the side of the golf bag and thus comprises an arcuateplate 1174 configured to conform to the generally arcuate shape of theoutside of the golf bag and adapted to be secured thereto with rivets1175 or the like. Plate 1174 is adapted to be mounted on the side of agolf bag in an orientation which will allow the arms 1136 and 1138 to beseated over the bag in the same manner as described above in connectionwith the support member embodiment 400 and thus incorporated herein byreference. A hollow, elongate tube 1176 is secured to the surface ofplate 1174 as by welding or the like in an orientation wherein tube 1176is centrally disposed on the plate 1174 between and in a generallyparallel relationship to the opposed side edges 1177 and 1178 of plate1176. In the alternate plate embodiments of FIGS. 26(a) and (b), tube1176 is secured to the top surface of plate 1176 in alternaterelationships wherein tube 1176 is disposed at an angle (i.e., tiltedalternatively in the direction of either the edge 1177 or the edge 1178)relative to the central longitudinal axis 1180 of plate 1176. Tube 1176includes a plurality of apertures 1182 defined in the top surfacethereof and extending between the ends thereof in a spaced-apart andaligned relationship.

[0108] Bracket assembly 1173 additionally includes an elongate, hollowmounting rod 1181 secured to (as by welding or the like) and extendinggenerally normally outwardly from the side of the exterior surface ofthe sleeve 1126 of support member 1100 opposite the side of sleeve 1126having the slots 1128 defined therein. Aperture 1183 defined in surfaceof rod 1181 is preferably adapted to receive depressable pin assembly1189. Rod 1181 is positioned between the two sets of slots 1128. Sleeve1126 is otherwise similar in structure to the sleeve 26 of supportmember 100 and the description thereof is thus incorporated herein byreference.

[0109] Arms 1136 and 1138 are removably securable to the sleeve 1126 inthe same manner as that described above in connection with the FIG. 1support member 100 and thus the description thereof is incorporatedherein by reference. Particularly, slots 1128 in sleeve 1126 cooperatewith respective depressable pins (not shown) associated with arms 1136and 1138 for locking the arms 1136 in the sleeve 1126 and to allow therotation of arms 1136 and 1138 relative to the sleeve 1126 for the samepurposes and in the same manner as described and shown in FIGS. 12 and13 above and thus incorporated herein by reference. Tubular cushions1154 and 1156 surround the hip/waist engaging portions 1142 of the arms1136 and 1138 respectively.

[0110] Sleeve 1126 in turn is adapted to be removably and adjustablysecured to bracket assembly 1173 by extending rod 1181 into tube 1176.Pin 1184 is adapted to cooperate with a selected one of the plurality ofapertures 1182 in tube 1176. Apertures 1182, of course, allow thedistance between the bag and the wearer to be adjusted.

[0111] Yet a further support member embodiment 1300 is shown in FIG. 27.Support member 1300 is also adapted for use on a golf bag intended to becarried in the orientation shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 and thusincorporates arms 1336 and 1338 similar in structure, shape andorientation to the arms 436 and 438 of support member 400, thedescription of which is thus incorporated herein by reference. As such,each of the generally “L” shaped arms 1336 and 1338 includes, amongother elements, an extended shoulder portion 1340 and a unitary elongatehip/waist engaging portion 1342.

[0112] Support member 1300 incorporates a collar 1373 which allows themember 1300 to be fitted and removably secured directly to the handle1309 of a golf bag. Specifically, bracket 1373 comprises a pair ofinterconnectable, generally semi-circularly shaped collar plates 1374and 1376. Plate 1374 defines a pair of elongate bores 1378 and 1380which extend inwardly into the body thereof from the outer face thereofand in the direction of the plate 1376. Although not shown therein, itis understood that collar plate 1376 also defines a pair of spaced-apartbores or the like defined in the body thereof and extending therein inalignment with the bores 1378 and 1380 defined in collar plate 1374.

[0113] Collar plate 1374 additionally includes an elongate hollowmounting rod, tube or sleeve 1326 extending longitudinally along theouter surface of the side of plate 1374 opposite the side thereofadapted to abut against the plate 1376. Sleeve 1326 is similar instructure to the sleeve 26 of the support member 100 shown in FIG. 1 andthus the description thereof is incorporated herein by reference. Sleeve1326 is adapted to be secured to collar plate 1374 by welding or thelike.

[0114] Plates 1374 and 1376 of bracket 1373 are adapted to be broughttogether laterally from opposite sides of the golf bag handle 1309 intoa relationship surrounding the handle 1309. Screws 1392 are adapted tobe inserted into and through the bores 1378 and 1380 in plate 1374 andthe respective bores in plate 1376 for removably securing the plates1374 and 1376 around the handle 1309. Arms 1336 and 1338 are removablysecurable to the sleeve 1326 in the same manner as that describedearlier in connection with the FIG. 1 support member 100, thedescription of which is incorporated herein by reference. Particularly,slots 1328 in sleeve 1326 cooperate with respective depressable pins1348 associated with arms 1336 and 1338 respectively for locking thearms 1336 and 1338 in the sleeve 1326 and to allow the rotation of arms1336 and 1338 relative to the sleeve 1326 for the same purposes asdescribed above in connection with the FIGS. 12 and 13 embodiments andthus incorporated herein by reference. Tubular cushions 1354 and 1356surround the hip/waist engaging portions 1342 of the arms 1336 and 1338respectively.

[0115]FIGS. 28 and 29 depict another embodiment of a support member 1400adapted for use with any type of shoulder or back mounted pack such as,for example, the back pack 1402 which includes front and back panels1404 and 1406 respectively, opposed side panels 1408 and 1410respectively and a bottom panel 14, together defining a hollow storageinterior.

[0116] Support member 1400 comprises, in part, a generally U-shapedframe comprising two interconnected, generally “L” shaped hollowflexible tubes or shafts defining spaced-apart generally co-planar arms1436 and 1438 which are preferably of the same structure and made of thesame material as arms 36 and 38 of the support member 100 shown in FIG.1, the description of which is thus incorporated herein by reference.Particularly, each of the arms 1436 and 1438 of the support member 1400includes a hip/waist engaging support portion 1442 and a proximalextended and elongate shoulder 1440 which extends unitarily generallynormally inwardly from the proximal end of the hip/waist engagingportion 1442. The hip/waist portion 1442 of each of the arms 1436 and1438 incorporates an inwardly bent curved or arcuate central segment1444 between the proximal and distal ends thereof. The arms 1436 and1438 are also mirror images of each other and are disposed in aspaced-apart relationship generally co-planarly to each other in boththe disengaged and engaged positions of the member 1400. The arms 1436and 1438 additionally arc or curve downwardly in the direction of thedistal ends thereof.

[0117] A pair of elongate, hollow cylindrical pads or cushions 1454 and1456, similar in structure and function to those described earlier inconnection with the support member 100, the description of which isincorporated herein by reference, are adapted to be slid over therespective hip/waist engaging portions 1442 of the arms 1436 and 1438.

[0118] Support member 1400 still further comprises an elongate rod 1481made of any suitable, flexible, resilient material such as, for example,an ABS plastic or fiberglass material which has been preferablypre-shaped during the manufacturing process in the shape of a “U”. Inaccordance with the present invention, rod 1481 includes an arcuate basesupport segment 1483 and unitary arm support segments 1485 and 1487 andis adapted to be located within the interior of the back pack 1402 in arelationship wherein the base support segment 1483 thereof follows thecontour of the front and side panels 1404, 1408 and 1410 respectively ofthe pack 1402 and is seated against or adjacent the bottom panel 1412.

[0119] Base segment 1483 is also adapted to extend through an elongatesleeve 1493 also located in the interior of the pack 1402. Sleeve 1493extends longitudinally along the interior face of front panel 1404 andadjacent the bottom panel 1412. The arm support segments 1485 and 1487are adapted to extend unitarily outwardly from the ends of the basesegment 1483 along the interior faces of the side panels 1408 and 1410respectively and through respective slotted apertures 1489 and 1491defined respectively in the back panel 1406 of the pack 1402 adjacentthe bottom panel 1412 thereof. The hip/waist engaging arms 1436 and 1438are adapted to be fitted over and surround the respective arm segments1485 and 1487 of rod 1481 in a relationship where the arms 1436 and 1438extend successively through the respective slotted apertures 1489 and1491, the interior of the pack 1402 and partially through the interiorof sleeve 1493. The portion of the shoulders of the arms 1436 and 1438disposed within the interior of sleeve 1493 are adapted to be glued orotherwise suitably secured to the sleeve 1493 thus fixedly removablysecuring the arms 1436 and 1438 to the rod 1481.

[0120] In accordance with the present invention, rod 1481 is preferablyshaped and made of a material adapted to allow the rod 1481 to flexinwardly and outwardly towards and away from the waist and/or hips ofthe wearer in the region of the arm supports 1485 and 1487 thereof so asto allow the arms 1436 and 1438 to exert a compressive force against thewaist and/or hips of the wearer of the back pack which, in the samemanner as described above with respect to the earlier support memberembodiment and incorporated herein by reference, advantageously allowsthe transfer of the weight of the contents of the pack 1402 away fromthe shoulders and the upper back of the wearer to the waist, hips andlower back of the wearer through the respective shoulder 1440 and thenthrough the respective waist/hip engaging portions 1442 of the arms 1436and 1438 of the member 1400. The slots 1489 and 1491 in the back panel1406 of pack 1402 allow the arms 1436 and 1438 to flex laterallyinwardly in the direction of the center of the bag and outwardly in thedirection of the side panels thereof to accommodate the variously sizedwaists and hips of different users.

[0121] It will be readily apparent from the foregoing detaileddescription of the invention and from the illustrations thereof thatnumerous variations and modifications may be effected without departingfrom the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts or principles ofthis invention. It will also be readily apparent that the hip supportmember of the present invention is applicable not only with back packsand golf bags but also with a variety of other articles which areadapted to be mounted to the back or suspended from the shoulders of awearer such as, for example, back packs used by military personnel, backmounted vacuum cleaners, back mounted leaf blowers, and baby carriers.

I claim:
 1. A member for supporting an article, the member comprising apair of spaced-apart rigid arms adapted to cooperate with the articleand engage the waist and/or hips of a wearer of the article.
 2. Themember of claim 1 wherein the article is a back pack including opposedside panels and an open sleeve extending along a lower edge of each ofthe side panels, the arms being adapted to be slid and extended into thesleeves respectively.
 3. The member of claim 1 wherein the article is aback pack including a back panel and a sleeve associated therewith, thearms being adapted to extend through the sleeve and secure the arms tothe article.
 4. The member of claim 1 wherein the article is a back packincluding a front panel having a sleeve associated therewith and opposedside panels therebetween, the arms being adapted to extend through thesleeve and around the side panels of the back pack.
 5. The member ofclaim 1 wherein the arms are adapted for rotation about the articlebetween a disengaged position and an engaged position with the waistand/or hips of the wearer.
 6. The member of claim 1 wherein a sleeveextends between and is unitary with the arms and defines a generallyU-shaped frame adapted to be secured to the article.
 7. The member ofclaim 6 wherein the sleeve comprises a pair of cooperating elementsadapted to allow the distance between the arms to be adjusted.
 8. Themember of claim 1 wherein each of the arms includes an extended shoulderand the shoulders cooperate to secure the arms together.
 9. The memberof claim 1 wherein the article is a golf bag.
 10. A back pack includingrigid spaced-apart arms adapted to engage the hips and/or waist of awearer of the back pack.
 11. The back pack of claim 10 wherein the backpack includes opposed side panels and a pair of hollow sleeves extendingalong a lower edge of the side panels respectively, the arms extendingthrough the sleeves respectively.
 12. The back pack of claim 10 whereinthe distance between the arms is adjustable.
 13. The back pack of claim10 wherein each of the arms includes a hollow shoulder portion and theshoulder portion of one of the arms extends into the shoulder portion ofthe other of the arms.
 14. The back pack of claim 10 wherein the armsextend around a front panel and opposed side panels of the back pack.15. The back pack of claim 10 including a front panel and a back paneland incorporating a hollow sleeve on one of the front and back panels,the arms extending through and being rotatable about the sleeve on oneof the front or back panels of the back pack.
 16. The back pack of claim10 wherein the arms are rotatable about the back pack between a firstdisengaged position and a second engaged position against the hipsand/or waist of the user.
 17. The back pack of claim 10 wherein a sleeveconnects the arms together and the sleeve secures the arms to the backpack.
 18. The back pack of claim 17 wherein the arms and the sleevetogether define a generally U-shaped unitary frame and the sleeve isadapted to secure the arms to the back pack in a relationship where thearms extend generally normally outwardly from the back pack.
 19. Theback pack of claim 10 including a back panel and an interior, the armsbeing slid over the ends of a flexible rod extending and protrudingthrough respective apertures defined in the back panel of the back pack.20. The back pack of claim 10 including a bottom panel, the armscooperating and extending from the bottom panel.
 21. A member forsupporting a golf bag comprising rigid spaced-apart arms adapted toengage the waist and/or hips of a user when said golf bag is carried bythe user.
 22. The member of claim 21 wherein the golf bag has a spineand the arms depend from a sleeve associated therewith and adapted to bepositioned against the bag in a generally co-planar relationship withthe spine of the golf bag.
 23. The member of claim 21 wherein the armsare rotatable about the spine of the bag between a first disengagedposition where the arms are disposed generally adjacent the bag and asecond engaged position where the arms are positioned away from the bagand engage the waist and/or hips of the user.
 24. The member of claim 22wherein the sleeve includes first and second telescoping plates.
 25. Themember of claim 24 wherein a shaft extends longitudinally outwardly froma distal end of each of the first and second plates respectively, thearms extending into the shafts respectively and being adapted forrotation about the shafts.
 26. The member of claim 22 wherein the sleeveis covered by a jacket integral with the golf bag, the jacket defining apair of openings through which the arms protrude.
 27. The member ofclaim 26 wherein the jacket includes a flap allowing access to thesleeve.
 28. The member of claim 21 wherein the arms are secured directlyto the spine of the golf bag and are slidable and rotatable thereon. 29.The member of claim 21 wherein the arms are connected to a bracketadapted to be secured to the handle of the golf bag.
 30. The member ofclaim 29 wherein the bracket includes a pair of interconnectable platesadapted to be brought together from opposite sides of the handle into arelationship surrounding the handle, the member further comprising ahollow sleeve mounted to one of the plates and the arms extending intothe ends of the sleeve respectively.
 31. The member of claim 29 whereinthe bracket includes a plate having a plurality of apertures definedtherein and adapted for extension through an opening defined between thegolf bag and the handle, the member further including straps adapted tosurround the handle and extend through the apertures defined in theplate for removably securing the bracket to the handle.
 32. The memberof claim 31 wherein the straps are comprised of hook and loop typematerial.
 33. The member of claim 21 further including a bracketassociated with the golf bag, the bracket including a hollow tubesecured thereto and the member incorporating a sleeve into which thearms extend and are removably secured, the sleeve including a rodextending outwardly therefrom and adapted to extend through the tube onthe bracket for removably securing the arms to the bracket.
 34. Themember of claim 29 wherein the bracket comprises a collar adapted tosurround the handle of the golf bag.